The TPS Bursary Competition 2026 launches today!

The Transport Planning Society is delighted to announce the launch of the 2026 TPS Bursary competition.

The bursary encourages early-career professionals and students with an interest in transport planning to explore critical issues shaping the sector today. It provides a valuable opportunity to develop research, thinking and professional skills while contributing to an important national conversation.

This Year’s Theme

The TPS’s theme for 2026 is: Transport Planning for Thriving People and Places

Bursary Question

Applicants are invited to respond to the following question:

"How can transport plans and/or transport projects be designed and delivered to maximise social impact, to enable thriving people and places?” 

Submissions can take a range of approaches, including:

• Case studies of existing or past schemes
• Evaluation of policies or interventions
• Comparative analysis across locations or sectors
• Primary research or data collection
• Innovative or forward-looking proposals

We welcome ideas from all areas of transport planning and related disciplines.

What You Will Receive

Successful applicants will:

• Be supported by a mentor, appointed by the TPS Board, who is a senior professional in the field
• Develop a 5,000-word paper with guidance and feedback
• Present their work at a TPS Board session in January 2027

Upon successful completion, bursarians will:

• Receive a £500 award
• Be featured in a TPS news article

The author of the best paper will also receive:

• The “Bursary of the Year” engraved award
• An additional £250 prize

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:

• A proposal of no more than 500 words outlining:
  • How you will approach the question
  • Why your topic is important
  • Any initial ideas, case studies or methods you intend to use

Even if your idea is still developing, we encourage you to apply. There will be opportunities to refine your proposal with support from TPS mentors and Board members.

Key Dates

• Application deadline: Friday 17th July 2026
• Successful applicants notified: Summer 2026
• Final presentations: January 2027

Why Apply?

The TPS Bursary is a unique opportunity to:

• Deepen your understanding of a key transport challenge
• Build your professional network
• Gain mentorship from senior industry figures
• Showcase your work to leading practitioners